Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been regarded as a pivotal inducer in diabetes and kinds of diabetic nephropathy. The present studies explored the effects of Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) that is a Chinese medicinal decoction on negative charge to Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) and the related mechanism. Alcian blue staining was established to evaluate the intensity of negative charge on HUVEC. Proteoglycan expressions of AGP and avidin were determined by SDS-PAGE. We observed that DBT can significantly increase negative charge on HUVEC and up-regulated AGP and avidin expressions and ameliorate AGEs-induced HUVEC apoptosis. Therefore, all results showed DBT had prevention effects against the progression of AGEs-induced damage, and this decoction might be promising agent against proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy.

1. Introduction

The World Health Organization estimates that the number of people in the world with diabetes has increased dramatically over recent years and is expected to reach 300 million by the year 2025 [1]. Diabetic complications are recognized as the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a serious and major complication of diabetes, has become the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in recent years. The first manifestation of diabetic nephropathy in humans is increased urinary albumin excretion, which usually progresses to nephroticrange proteinuria [2]. Increased urinary albumin (proteinuria) is a key component of this disease. Previously, its development led to ESRD with increased morbidity and mortality for diabetic patients versus nondiabetic patients.

Traditional Chinese medicines used to treating nephrosis and diabetic nephropathy for preventing and treating diabetes and its complications [3]. Among thousands of herbal formulae, Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is one of the simplest that consists of only two herbs: Radix Astragali (RA, Huangqi) and Radix Angel-icae Sinensis (RAS, Danggui) in a weight ratio of 5:1. The use of DBT was first recorded in “Neiwaishang Bianhuo Lun” by Li Dongyuan in China in 1247 A.D. DBT consists of volatilities, phthalides, organic acids, triterpene saponins and flavonoids [4]. Pharmacological results indicate that DBT possesses the abilities to promote hematopoietic function, stimulate cardiovascular circulation, prevent osteoporosis, increase anti-oxidation activity, and stimulate immune response, increase insulin sensitivity, and decrease albuminuria [4-7]. Moreover, DBT has antiinﬂammatory properties, and can produce a higher survival rate, less body weight loss, and decrease water intake in diabetic atherosclerosis in GK rats [8]. To date, several interventions have been shown to slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy, Current management strategies for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy have focused on achieving tight glucose and blood pressure control and blockade of the renin angiotensin system. However, none of the currently available modalities can cure or prevent diabetic nephropathy.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in diabetic nephropathy have been extensively researched over the last decades and are now firmly established as major players in this disease. Long-term incubation of proteins with glucose leads to the formation of AGEs. The accumulation of AGEs is thought to be a key factor in the initiation and progression of diabetic nephropathy through both receptor dependant and independent interactions [9,10]. And AGEs have been shown to have a wide range of chemical, cellular and tissue effects that potentially could contribute to progressive nephropathy, and modification of proteins leads to changes in charge, solubility and conformation, ultimately resulting in molecular dysfunction [11]. Studies using the remnant kidney model show conﬂicting data about proteinuria and the use of heparin of the standard drug, and the drug of low weight heparin [12,13]. In the mesangioproliferative glomertreatment with heparin can prevent albuminuria and thickening of glomerular basement membranes in puromycin aminonucleoside model [12,14]. Heparin is negatively charged, and therefore, it has been suggested that it could replace anionic charges lost by the glomeruli [15].

DBT has been proved clinically effective in reducing proteinuria in chronic kidney disease in China. Despite the medicinal use of DBT dates back thousands of years, the promising evidence from a few studies on the effect of decrease albuminuria, but the mechanisms involved has not been investigated yet. Therefore, in the present study, we wanted to explore the details of DBT at the different dosages and AGEs’ effect on negative charges to HUVECs. We also interested in the effects of AGEs on the expression of glycoprotein and HUVECs’s apoptosis.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Chemical Analysis

Chromatographic condition was carried out as described by Qi et al. [16]. Alltima C18 (150 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column was used, and the mobile phase consisted of water and acetonitrile was changed by concentration gradient of Table 1, the flow rate was 1 mL/min, the DAD detector was used. Column temperature was constant at 30 centigrade temperature. Standard mixture was purchased from the National Institute for the Control of Pharmaceutical and Biological products (NICPBP). Both Standard mixture and DBT were dissolved with methyl alcohol. The chromatogram was reported within 60 min (Table 1).

In preparing DBT, exact amounts of were weighed according to a ratio of 5:1 and then mixed well. The mixture of Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Radix Astragali was immersed in 10 times their total weight of water 30 min, then was boiled for 90 min; Then 10 times their total weight of water was added to the residue and boiled for 90 min again, and the two extracts were merged and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure with a rotary evaporator at 50˚C. Finally, the extracts were dried by lyophilization and stored at –20˚C. Before incubation, the solution was sterile ﬁltered by passing it through a 0.22 μm nylon membranes before use.

HUVECs were treated with trypsin and seeded on coverslips precoated with polylysine in 24-well plates at con- ﬂuence density of 80% - 90%. HUVECs were starved and incubated with Heparin (0.05 IU/ml), AGEs (10 μg/ml), DBT/DBT-A/DBT-B (0.01 μg/ml, 0.1 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml) + AGEs (10 μg/ml) for 1 h. Then the cells were rinsed brieﬂy with phosphate-buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.4), and fixed with 10% paraformaldehyde for 10 min at room temperature. After being ﬁxed, the cells were stained at 37˚C of water bath with cationic dye Alcian blue solution (2mg/ml, with the preparation of 3% acetic acid) for 30 min. After removal of the stain, washed with tap water for 5 min, and the cells were dehydrated for 5 min with 75%, 96%, 100% ethanol and treated with xylene/100% ethanol for 5 min separately at room temperature. Finally, the cells were treated with xylene and photographed under microscope.

Cultured HUVECs were treated with different drugs, and then which were collected in lysis buffer (Beyotime, Shanghai, China) according to manufacture’s instructions. Stored in –20˚C.

The stacking and separating gels used were 5% and 10% polyacrylamide, respectively, with an acrylamide: bisacrylerolamide ratio of 29:1. The running buffer was prepared from 25 mM Tris base, 0.2 M glycine, and 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) with pH of 8.3. Concentrations of bovine serum albumin were determined by the Bradford method. Prior to electrophoresis, the samples were heated in the presence of Sample Loading Buffer (Beyotime, Shanghai, China) at 100˚C for 5 min in a boiling water bath. Glycoprotein Molecular Weight Standards was used according to the manufacture’s instructions. Glycoprotein samples were loaded into the individual wells, and electrophoresis processed was run at 80 V for 30 min in the stacking gels and 120 V for 60 min in the separating gels. After separation, the gels were carefully transferred to a petri dish filled with distilled water, The staining solution (0.1% m/v Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250, 50% v/v methanol, 10% v/v acetic acid) was added into the gel, and then stained overnight at room temperature. Subsequently, the stained gels were removed from the staining solution and distained for 2 h in 50% v/v methanol and 10% v/v acetic acid, until the background was clear and then washed with distilled water. The gel images were acquired by SensiCapture (Peiqing Science technology Corporation, Shanghai, China) in a WL mode.

2.8. Cell Apoptosis

2.8.1. Fluorescence Detection with Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide

The fluorescence detection with acridine orange/ethidium bromide was used to evaluate the effect of DBT in HUVEC apoptosis. To observe the morphological changes of apoptosis, cells were stained with acridine orange/ ethidium bromide (AO/EB). HUVECs were firstly seeded on the coverslips in 24-well plates at confluence density of 80%. HUVECs were starved and treated with drugs for 48 hours. Then the cells were washed with phosphate-buffer solution (PBS) for one time and incubated with AO/EB working solution (100 µg/ml AO and 100 µg/ml ethidium bromide of phosphate-buffer solution). Then cells were observed under a fluorescence microscope. The cytoplasm and nucleus of normal cells were stained with bright green, whereas the apoptotic cells exhibited with jacinth.

2.8.2. Measurement of Apoptosis by Annexin V/PI Analysis

HUVECs were firstly seeded on the coverslips in 24-well plates at confluence density of 80%. HUVECs were starved and treated with drugs for 48 hours. After collecting and washing twice with PBS, HUVECs were resuspended in the binding buffer (200 μl). FITC-Annexin-V (2 μl) was added to the cells followed by addition of 2 μl PI according to the protocol of the Annexin V-FITC/PI kit (EMD Biosciences). The samples were then incubated for 15 min in the dark at room temperature and subjected to flow cytometry evaluation.

2.9. Statistical Analysis

Data were expressed as the mean ± SD. The signiﬁcance for the difference among groups was analyzed with SPSS16.0 by one-way ANOVAs. Differences were considered to be statistically signiﬁcance at value of P < 0.05.

3. Results

3.1. Chemical Analysis

6 common peaks in HPLC-ELSD fingerprint appeared with retention time could be used as marker peaks for qualitative identification (Figure 1).

3.2. Assayed by Alcian Blue Staining

In order to reveal the possible proteinuria-regulatory functions of DBT, water extracts of DBT were applied onto the cultured HUVECs, and the cell negative charge was determined. Alcian blue is a cationic dye which has been used staining of proteoglycan. The staining properties of

Alcian blue are considered to be associated with the interaction of this cationic dye with negatively charged macromolecules. The data presented here demonstrate that the cells binds Alcian blue, suggesting that these molecules are also negatively charged. As shown in Figure 2, the mean optical density of model group was significantly higher than that of control group (P < 0.01). Mean optical density of low, medium, high treatment groups of DBT/DBT-A/DBT-B were sharply increased compared with that of model group (P < 0.01). But compared with the heparin group, there were no significantly decreased in DBT, DBT-A and DBT-B treatment groups (P > 0.05). The effects of different doses showed a good dose-dependent response. At the dosage of 1 µg/ml, DBT showed the sub-maximal effect, which was signiﬁcantly higher than the other groups.

3.3. DBT Increased AGP and Avidin Expression in HUVEC

Glycoproteins were expressed by HUVECs as revealed by SDS-PAGE (Figure 3). Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and avidin are kinds of negatively charge glycoproteins that cover the surface of cells. Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and avidin expression were significantly decreased in model group compared with control group (P < 0.05) and significantly increased in DBT treatment groups compared with the model group (P < 0.05). But compared with the heparin group, there were no significantly difference in DBT treatment groups (P > 0.05). The effects of different doses showed a good dosedependent response. Notably, there was no significant difference in heparin between control and DBT treatment groups (Figure 4).

3.4. DBT Protected HUVECs from AGEs-Induced Apoptosis

To observe the morphological changes of the cells, HU- VECs were stained with acridine orange/ethidium bromide solution and observed under a fluorescence microscope. As shown in Figure 5, control group was stained with bright green, and no obvious jacinth-staining was observed; while AGEs (1 mg/ml) treatment obviously increased the intracellular jacinth staining (Figure 5(b)), indicating more cell apoptosis appeared. As expected, treated with aminoguanidine and DBT were obviously reduced the jacinth staining (Figures 5(c)-(f)). HUVECs were treated with DBT at different concentrations for 48 hours. Apoptotic cells were measured by Annexin V/PI staining. As Figure 6 treated with aminoguanidine and DBT were obviously reduced the apoptosis of HUVECs.

4. Discussion

Diabetes is a multisystem disorder and involvement of the kidney is a major cause of hospitalization and infirmity among the diabetic population [18]. The health implications of diabetes is a chronic disorder of metabolism caused by an absolute or relative lack of insulin and its incidence is considered to be about 5% all over the world. Diabetes is the single leading cause of end stage renal disease in the western world, and is increasing rapidly as its cause in developing countries [2,19]. Diabetes’s complications remain poorly understand, which has been the bottle neck in the development of effective therapeutic strategies to the prevention and treatment of diabetes and its complications. Moreover, diabetic nephropathy is the most serious life limited complication of both types 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus, and has been the cause of lot of morbidity and mortality in the diabetic population. It is characterized by increased urinary albumin excretion and loss of renal function. AGEs have been widely studied in its key role in promoting diabetes development [20]. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that AGEs play an important role in diabetic renal disease. In the present study, we demonstrated that DBT can significantly increase AGEs-induced negative charge to HUVEC, in

which up-regulation of glycoprotein’s expression and protected HUVEC from AGEs-induced apoptosis.

The intricate properties of the glomerular barrier have fascinated researchers for decades. The glomerular barrier is by far the most complex biological membrane, with properties that allow for high filtration rates of water, nonrestricted passage of small and middle-sized molecules, and almost total restriction of serum albumin and larger proteins [21]. The glomerular filtration barrier consist of kinds of layers in series podocytes, glomerular basement membrane, fenestrated endothelial cells and endothelial cell surface layer (ESL, often referred to as the glycocalyx) [21]. The glomerular barrier is highly size and charge selective, however, since all components of the glomerular membrane are important for its func-

tion, proteinuria will occur regardless of which layer is defect. Not surprisingly, in humans there is a close relationship between renal function, including proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate [19]. Proteinuria is said to be present when the urine contains more than 300 mg protein per day, urine with daily protein excretion ranging from 30 to 300 mg reflects microalbuminuria. Diabetic nephropathy has several stages: microalbuminuria; proteinuria and chronic renal insufficiency with decreased renal filtration and elevated levels of uremic toxins in blood [22]. It is evident that regardless of where the defect is in any of the glomerular layers may result in proteinuria, owing to abnormality in both size selectivity and charge selectivity. Namely, proteinuria with resultant diminution in the physiological electrostatic charge barrier and size barrier.

The importance of proteinuria, in the detection and consequences of glomerular disease has prompted, many studies designed to elucidate the relationship of normal glomerular structure to the normal function of the glomerulus as a barrier to protein filtration, and the specific alterations in structure responsible for the abnormal glomerular permeability to macromolecules observed in disease. With the majority of studies suggesting that net negative charge on a macromolecule reduces filterability and that net positive charge increases filterability. This effect has been attributed to the ﬁxed negative charges associated with all three components of the filtration barrier. Charged molecules also play an important structural role, since their neutralization leads to changes in the size dependence of permeability [23]. Among the risk factors that influence the likelihood of developing renal disease in type 2 diabetes, the onset of proteinuria often heralds a more rapid decline in renal function [24].

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been used as medicines, or health supplements, in China over thousands of years. Historically, TCMs are prepared as decoctions by a unique methodology with speciﬁc combination of different herbs as a formula. A Chinese medicinal decoction, DBT is a sample combination of two herbs. A number of clinical patients and studies have suggested that these agents may have renoprotective actions against from proteinuria. In the present study we confirmed our observation that DBT is important mediator of AGEs-induced to HUVECs damage.

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in the cell surface coat that is produced by and surrounds the endothelial cells [21]. This layer has two components: the glycocalyx and the endothelial cell coat. The ESL is composed of negatively charged glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and membrane-associated and secreted proteoglycans, and can be visualized by using different dyes, for example, Alcian blue is a cationic dye which has been used staining of proteoglycans. Proteoglycans are versatile molecules found in diverse areas of the body and present on the surface of endothelial cells and podocytes and in the mesangial cell matrix as well. The hallmark of a proteoglycan is constituted of a core-protein carrying at least one GAG chain. In diabetic nephropathy, the total amount and charge of GAG levels are modified, potentially contributing to albuminuria. The negative charges in podocytes are thought to contribute to charge selectivity, podocyte stability, and signaling. Podocytes influence endothelial properties by secreting substances such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiotensin I. As mentioned above, the surface anionic charge is essential for maintaining the glomerular structure and function. In the glomerulus, the most described proteoglycans are perlecan [25] and agrin [26,27], both expressed in the GBM together with another proteoglycan. In addition, treatment with puromycin aminonucleoside down regulated proteoglycan expression in glomerular endothelial cells in rats [28]. Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and avidin are kinds of negatively charge glycoproteins that cover the surface of cells. In addition, we treatment with DBT up regulated Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and avidin expression in HUVECs and induced by AGEs.

AGEs accumulates in diabetes and reduction of AGE formation ameliorates the development of diabetic nephropathy [29]. AGEs were believed to be the most important damage factor which effect may be both direct (through AGE receptors) and indirect in the occurrence and development of endothelial dysfunction in diabetic complications. Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is an immunoglobulin protein that mediates AGEs induced cell damage process, and is minimally expressed in normal tissue and vasculature and is up-regulated when AGE ligands accumulate. Apoptosis plays an important role in renal development physiology and pathology; studies indicated that endothelial cells apoptosis is of great significance in the progression of diabetic nephropathy, in which it can cause the loss of endothelial cells. The reduction of the endothelium nonadhesive propertly, and the occurence of the vascular dysfunction [30,31]. The published studies have also shown that AGE-RAGE interaction can induce apoptosis and inflammation in diabetic vascular complications, and promote diabetic-associated vasculopathy development [32-35]. Amino guanidine, a nucleophilic compound, not only decreases the formation of AGEs but also inhibits their action. In the present study, it has been demonstrated that administration of the advanced glycation end products inhibitor aminoguanidine ameliorated the AGEsinduced damage; we found that AGEs significantly induced HUVECs apoptosis as compared with control and DBT pretreatment protected the cell from AGEs-induced damage.